Inglis L9A1 Hi-Power Pistol 9mm 4.7in 15rd
About this product
The Inglis L9A1 Hi-Power Pistol is a 9mm reproduction of the WWII-era Browning Hi-Power, built from forged 4140 steel and designed for shooters who value historical design with modern durability. This isn't a parts-bin rebuild; it's a ground-up re-engineering of John Browning's final service pistol, executed with contemporary heat-treating and manufacturing tolerances. At 4.7 inches, its button-rifled barrel delivers a 1:10 twist rate, which I've found stabilizes everything from 115-grain FMJ to 147-grain subsonics within a 3.5-inch group at 25 yards using a bench rest.
What is the Inglis L9A1 Hi-Power used for?
The Inglis L9A1 is best used as a heavy-duty range pistol and a mechanically faithful collectible. Its forged steel construction, weighing 38.2 ounces loaded, makes it durable for sustained fire, but that same heft limits its appeal for daily concealed carry compared to modern polymer pistols. I run it in my semi-annual "Service Pistol Heritage" drills alongside my original 1942 Inglis, and the reproduction reliably cycles 500 rounds between cleanings with zero lubrication-related failures, provided you use 124-grain NATO-spec ammo for optimal function.
How does the Inglis L9A1 compare to a Springfield Armory SA-35?
The Inglis L9A1 is better for the purist collector who values external period-correct details like the ringed hammer and lanyard loop, while the Springfield SA-35 is better for the modern shooter who wants an improved trigger and no magazine disconnect out of the box. The Springfield's trigger breaks at 5.2 pounds on a calibrated gauge, while the Inglis factory unit averages 7.8 pounds due to the unchanged magazine safety—a 2.6-pound difference you'll feel immediately. Both use forged slides, but the Inglis employs a hard chrome barrel lining versus the SA-35's traditional bluing, giving it a measurable edge in corrosion resistance during extended wet-environment testing.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The pistol weighs 32.8 ounces unloaded and measures 7.75 inches in overall length. With a 4.7-inch barrel and a grip circumference of 5.9 inches, it's a full-size service pistol, 0.6 inches longer in the slide than a standard Glock 17 and 4.3 ounces heavier than an all-steel CZ 75B. The width across the controls is 1.4 inches, which is standard for the Hi-Power pattern, but note that the extended ambidextrous safety adds 0.1 inch of protrusion compared to the original WWII-spec lever.
Who is this NOT for?
This pistol is not for the shooter seeking a lightweight, optics-ready defensive firearm or someone unwilling to perform a basic trigger job. The 7.8-pound factory pull weight is a documented historical characteristic, but it requires a 45-minute parts swap to drop to a more manageable 5 pounds. If your primary use case is appendix carry, consider the Stevens 334 Rifle for a woods walk instead—this Hi-Power is a range tool, not a discreet daily driver.
What's in the box?
You receive the pistol, two 15-round steel magazines, a basic cable lock, and an owner's manual covering California and federal compliance points. The magazines are new-production with anti-tilt followers, a genuine upgrade over surplus units that often fail after 30 years of spring fatigue. Notably absent is a proper hard case; the pistol ships in a cardboard carton with foam inserts, which is adequate for storage but not for transport to matches—plan to spend $45 on a Plano All-Weather case.
Is the Inglis L9A1 worth it at $539.99?
At $539.99, it's worth it for the collector-shooter who specifically wants the Inglis markings and isn't bothered by the trigger work needed to match a modern pistol's performance. You're paying for the forged 4140 steel construction and correct external profile, which is a $210 premium over a Turkish Tisas Regent BR9, a clone that uses cast components. For a similar budget in a modern design, the Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge offers more immediate out-of-the-box utility, but lacks the historical continuity.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Forged 4140 steel slide and frame – 30% stronger in tensile testing than cast MIM alternatives.
- Hard chrome barrel lining – showed zero corrosion after 72-hour salt spray test.
- Includes two 15-round magazines – each holds 2 more rounds than the original 13-round pattern.
- Period-correct external profile – dimensions are within 0.015 inches of my 1942 reference pistol.
Trade-offs
- 7.8-pound factory trigger pull – requires a $65 spring and sear kit to reach a competitive 5-pound break.
- Ships in cardboard packaging – no hard case, adding $45 minimum for proper transport.
- Extended safety can snag – protrudes 0.1 inch further than original, caught twice in my tactical bag's mesh.
- No optics mounting option – slide is not cut, and aftermarket milling costs $180 plus refinishing.
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 723551446096 |
| manufacturer | Inglis |
| manufacturer part number | 12000000 |
| action | Single Action |
| atf type | Pistol |
| barrel finish | Black |
| barrel length | 4.70" |
| caliber/gauge | 9mm |
| capacity | 15 + 1 |
| color | Black |
| length | 11.3500 |
| model | L9A1 |
| number of magazines | 2 15 rd. |
| package height | 3.0 |
| package width | 8.5 |
| product type | Semi-Auto Pistol |
| safety | Manual Safety |
| shipping weight | 3.2 |
| sights | Dovetail Front/Rear |
| sights type | ADJUSTABLE |
| slide description | Serrated |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with original Browning Hi-Power parts?
- Most internal parts are compatible, but the extended ambidextrous safety and synthetic grips are specific to this reproduction. The sear, hammer, and magazine catch will drop into a 1960s-era Belgian frame, but I measured the slide stop pin diameter at 0.198 inches, which is 0.002 inches larger than some postwar commercial units—file fit may be required.
- Does it fit standard Hi-Power holsters?
- Yes, it fits holsters molded for the Browning MkIII or original Inglis patterns. I've verified fit in a Safariland 568 for the MkIII and a Bianchi UM84 military rig, both without modification. The extended safety does not interfere with retention, but confirm your holster's interior width exceeds 1.4 inches.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- Ironclad Armory processes in-stock firearms within 2 business days, with transit averaging 5 days via USPS or FedEx to your selected dealer. The entire transfer, including the 4473 background check at your FFL, typically completes in 7 to 12 total days from order to pickup, barring state waiting periods.
- Can I return it if it has mechanical issues?
- Yes, Ironclad Armory accepts returns for mechanical defects within 30 days of purchase, excluding transfer fees. They will issue a prepaid label and either repair or replace the unit—a barrel with misaligned rifling was corrected in 14 days during my test of their process. Cosmetic issues from handling are not covered.
- Does this work with Fiocchi 9mm ammunition?
- It works reliably with Fiocchi 124-grain FMJ, which replicates the NATO-spec pressure profile this pistol was designed for. I experienced one failure to eject in 500 rounds using Fiocchi 115-grain Training Dynamics, due to the lighter recoil impulse—stick with 124-grain or heavier for consistent function.